Review: In Tampa, Melanie Martinez mesmerizes in theatrical journey through her discography [PHOTOS]

Melanie Martinez has ascended to stardom with minimal reliance on radio airplay or conventional media coverage. Her initial breakthrough came as a contestant on NBC's "The Voice," where she secured a position in the top six during the third season, approximately a decade ago. Now, in 2024, the 29-year-old New York native formally known as Melanie Adele Martinez has demonstrated that attentiveness to her fanbase and unwavering consistency can culminate in a sold-out performance at Amalie Arena on a Tuesday evening. Her latest tour, dubbed “The Trilogy Tour,” is a three-part spectacle, each segment equal in duration, covering her discography in chronological order to tell the tale of her alter ego, the Cry Baby.

The audience was composed of fervent young fans, many of whom donned Japanese Lolita-style attire and plush accessories reminiscent of a Comic Con gathering. Martinez’s performance commenced punctually at 8:30 p.m., and the cuteness extended to the stage as well. Dancers adorned in furry costumes and babydoll dresses, scurried about against a backdrop of whimsical video animations, that have significantly contributed to Martinez’s substantial presence on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and various streaming services. On this note, Martinez made her entrance on a moss-covered stage to perform “Cry Baby,” with a large screen behind her creating the illusion of a baby’s crib. She transitioned to a child's room for “Dollhouse,” and continued navigating a toy-like home throughout the first act until it dramatically went up in flames.

Following the transition into the second act, which featured an oversized digitized teddy bear, Martinez emerged in a grand school setting. Each song was complemented by corresponding visuals and props—a stretcher for the nurse’s office, a desk for the classroom, and a lunchbox for the cafeteria. During this act, Melanie delved deeper into her more profound themes with tracks like “Sippy Cup'' and “Play Date,” soliciting word for word participation from the crowd. In transition out of this second act, Cry Baby was metaphorically shot by a cherub-like cupid and laid to rest.

As the third segment commenced, tombstones rose from the stage, while Martinez launched into hit song “Death," wearing a surreal, multi-eyed prosthetic mask from her latest album artwork. Perhaps her most captivating performance occurred during this act, as she energetically navigated songs like “Battle Of The Larynx,” “The Contortionist,” and “Evil,” wielding a sword to fend off a charmingly cute pink dragon depicted digitally behind her, whose menace was underscored by real flames erupting from the stage.

For Martinez, the theatrical elements of The Trilogy Tour are as crucial as the music itself. However, those yearning for an explanation regarding the inspiration and significance behind her imagery—sitting on a slug-like blob, the presence of candy hearts inscribed with phrases like “Die Slow” and “U Suck,” or her moss-covered cameraman—will be left wanting. The narrative of the tour has already been intricately woven through her lyrics and accompanying videos and films, making the live performance a culmination of this extensive storytelling.

Martinez had the approximately 21,000 attendees crying in delight, expressing their devotion during songs like “Tunnel Vision” and “Pity Party," the latter a reinterpretation of Lesley Gore’s classic "It's My Party." In an era marked by dwindling ticket sales for many well-established artists, Martinez exemplifies that when an artist invests profoundly into their supporters, the support reciprocated will be overwhelmingly abundant.

Preceding Martinez, Chicago-based rock quartet Beach Bunny set the stage with a vibrant set of lo-fi, guitar-driven songs. Lead singer and guitarist Lili Trifilio, the band’s dynamic frontwoman, delivered a compelling performance featuring grungy tracks like “Cuffing,” alongside melodic and up-tempo numbers such as “Sports” and “Oxygen.” Their set also included songs infused with Afropop elements, as heard in “Dream Boy.”

Melanie Martinez setlist

Cry Baby
Dollhouse
Sippy Cup
Carousel
Alphabet Boy
Soap
Pity Party
Play Date
Mad Hatter

Wheels on the Bus
Class Fight
Show & Tell
Nurse's Office
Strawberry Shortcake
Lunchbox Friends
High School Sweethearts

Death
Void
Tunnel Vision
Faerie Soirée
Light Shower
Spider Web
Battle Of The Larynx
The Contortionist
Nymphology
Evil
Womb
Angels Song